Monday, October 30, 2017

Bracing

At the bracemaker

Last week we took C. to our local brace-maker and repairer.

The team at the wound clinic had warned us the previous day that a fresh pressure sore was about to erupt on her left foot and that the old one wasn't totally healed. They blamed her brace. I am loathe to let a day go by without standing C. up - actually, obsessive would be more precise. Since she can't stand at all without that brace, we raced to the brace guy the very next day.

The brace-guy refused make a new one until C. has been examined by an orthepedist because he suspects that the problem warrants surgery first.

But he did make a few temporary changes to her old brace and for some reason waived a fee. Previously the hubby - unaccompanied by C. and me - had brought him C.'s brace for repairs and found him to be surly. I attribute the guy's transformation to the pathetic image that C. and I present.

C.'s appointment with a "rehabilitative orthopedist" to assess her braced foot is in two weeks.

Interestingly, the spot that concerned the wound team has actually been in that state for ages and still isn't worsening even though I continue to stand her up every night.

Speaking of C.'s standing, as I've previously mentioned, it has deteriorated dramatically over the past year. Despite my obsession and hard work, she remains wobbly and can just barely take a few steps with enormous support from me.

The days when C. and I wowed the therapists with her standing and walking are a distant memory. And one I doubt will ever be a reality again.

1 comment:

I wonder -- are these pressure sores part of the "package" that is C -- her particular metabolism and/or disorder? Did she ever walk independently and what, exactly, are the braces for? Are they orthotics like we have in the states that are individually made?

About my blog

C. is the youngest of our children. She suffers from severe epilepsy, blindness, microcephaly and profound cognitive and physical impairment.

We have faced hurdles and gained insights through our encounters with the medical, educational and governmental establishments.

Nobody was there to help or guide us.

I would love to spare parents in the same predicament some of the painful mistakes and wasted efforts we have made.

I am also eager to promote greater acceptance, inclusion and appreciation of our children. The new, heightened awareness of people with disabilities tends to gloss over our children - the ones with profound disabilities. They are a forgotten minority within this minority. Still marginalized and even shunned by many "enlightened" societies, they are a long way off from achieving equal rights.